Both groups normally share Melvins guitarist Buzz “King Buzzo” Osborne as a member, and the release should come as no surprise as both are friends, both are released on singer Mike Patton‘s Ipecac label, and both were involved in a 2002 collaborative CD.
The low production quality of the concert film makes for a more realistic and intimate experience. Filmed at the Kentish Town Forum in London on May 1st of 2006, the film is almost exclusively comprised of the beguiling concert, thus giving fans the feeling of being in attendance in this unique concert setting.
The most interesting aspect of the film is watching as the band members play off of each other from song to song. The group’s performance of “The Omen” is particularly enthralling as the filmmakers let go of their traditional concert film aesthetics that have driven the film so far to create an enthralling visual experience of spliced shots, jump cuts, and close-ups of the big band as it constructs the layers to the song.
Once you’re done watching the film in its entirety, don’t forget to take time to watch it with the “special guest commentary” with none other than Danny Devito (yeah, that’s right) adding his two cents.
– Britt Julious
Fantômas: www.ipecac.com/artists/fantomas
Melvins: www.melvins.com
Ipecac Recordings: www.ipecac.com